The move to suspend Pearson, who has been city manager for two years, came after a marathon executive session that lasted for two hours and ended just before midnight.

Council members did not divulge any details concerning Pearson's suspensions or elaborate on the “allegations of wrongful conduct” against the city manager that were discussed in closed session.

During the last two months, several residents have raised concerns on whether Pearson is a legal resident of the city, as required by the city charter. According to public records, Pearson owns homes in Cibolo and Spring Branch, but questions have been raised as to whether he actually lives in his Cibolo residence or spends most of his time at his Spring Branch home.

Pearson has said he is a legal resident of the city, agreeing to terms set in the charter and by the previous council.

For the last several months, Pearson has been involved in a public feud with Mayor Jennifer Hartman. During a contentious meeting in September, Hartman accused the city manager of creating a hostile working environment at City Hall. The mayor said several residents, business owners and employees came to her expressing how they were mistreated or intimidated when they brought forth issues concerning the city manager.

Pearson denied the mayor's accusations, chastising Hartman for interfering in city management issues.

In April the mayor said Pearson did not notify the council when the Guadalupe County District Attorney's Office found no legal basis to pursue complaints filed against her by an employee and former Councilman Bob Hicks. Cox has confirmed he took the two complaints to District Attorney Heather Miller in October and reported his findings to Pearson on Oct. 12.

It was on Oct. 12 that the council on a split 4-3 vote approved a resolution censuring Hartman, based on allegations she violated her duties of her office and the city's charter. Part of the censure was based on an employee complaint filed by Fire Chief Roger Niemietz against the mayor.

The complaint filed by Bob Hicks had to do with whether Hartman violated any conflict-of-interest laws as the head of Cibolo Community Action Network, or CCAN, the non-profit organization that ran the city's annual festival for years. In his complaint, Hicks alleged that CCAN had used city employees on city time to collect funds for its pumpkin patch and raised concerns about the non-profit's financial standing.

Based on Bob Hicks complaints, the council voted in October to initiate an investigation of the mayor. An Austin investigator in April exonerated the mayor of any criminal wrongdoing.

Pearson has not commented as to whether or when he told the council of the district attorney's findings.

As interim city manager, Cox said he will try to keep the city on a steady course while the future of his boss remains uncertain. “It is a very difficult time,” he said. “It is not a happy day. The situation is what it is. We will continue to move forward until the council makes a decision on what direction they want to go (with Pearson).”

But Cox said he is confident the city and its employees will whether the storm.

“So far things are going well,” Cox said. “This is a team effort. We have a great team and we will continue building on the foundation that's there. We have accomplished a lot and there is a lot more we can do, and continue to move the city forward.”